Thursday, 27 February 2014

Concordia captain to return to wreck

The captain of the doomed Costa Concordia is due to return to the wreck today (Thursday).

Judges in the city of Grosseto agreed to a request by lawyers for Francesco Schettino, who demanded that he takes part in a survey of the ship.

The request came as a team of lawyers and experts were due to inspect an emergency power unit on the 11th deck of the Concordia, which allegedly did not work on the night of the shipwreck in January 2012.

It will be his first time back on the ship since it hit rocks off the island of Giglio in January 2012 and capsized, killing 32 people.

The visit is part of an investigation at Schettino's trial, where he is accused of manslaughter and abandoning ship. He denies the charges. If found guilty he could face up to 20 years in prison.

Schettino is due to board along with inspectors, but will not be allowed to interfere with their investigation. He would be allowed onto the ship "as a defendant, not a consultant", said Judge Giovanni Puliatti.

The captain has been accused of leaving the vessel before all 4,229 people on board had been evacuated. But he denies abandoning the ship after it hit a reef near the island.

He maintains he managed to steer the stricken vessel closer to shore so it did not sink in deep water where hundreds might have drowned.

An Italian court convicted five others of manslaughter last July.

They had all successfully entered plea bargains, while Schettino's request for a plea bargain was denied by the prosecution.

Concordia was set upright in an unprecedented salvage operation known as parbuckling in September.

Tuesday, 25 February 2014

Themes breathe new life into river routes

By Michelle Baran

It isn’t easy to reinvent the wheel, so one has to give it to the river cruise lines for getting creative with itineraries that go up and down the same rivers week in and week out by crafting unique and engaging themed departures.

River cruise companies have been toying with themed river cruises for years —holiday-themed winter cruises came onto the scene several years ago as a way to extend the river cruise season and continue to be a mainstay in all the river cruise lines’ brochures — but they’re getting more innovative with themes and definitely having more fun with it.

AmaWaterways’ wine-themed cruises have become so popular that the line now dedicates an entire brochure to its In Celebration of Wine cruises. The company also hosts Jewish heritage cruises, chocolate-themed cruises and even knitting cruises: AmaWaterways will have a “Knitting New Year’s Cruise” this year on the Danube, which will showcase the latest in luxury yarns, forums on fashion trends, and classes on new stitch patterns and techniques. The knitting cruise was suggested by one of AmaWaterways’ travel agent partners and will be hosted by Barry Klein, owner of Trendsetter Yarns in Los Angeles.

For 2014, Avalon Waterways increased its special-interest cruises by 30% to meet demand, adding beer-tasting, golf, wellness and World War I history cruises to an already innovative roster of themed cruises. They also offer cruises based around the themes of art and impressionism, authors, food, wine, music, Jewish heritage and history. Tauck, too, has culinary, art and music-themed cruises.

There are also themes that are more timely, such as the 70th anniversary of D-Day, which many river cruise lines have incorporated into their France itineraries, including Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection.

And stateside, American river cruise lines have endless themes to enhance their Mississippi and Pacific Northwest river itineraries. The American Queen Steamboat Co. has cruises centered on baseball legends, Mardi Gras, music of the 1950s and 1960s, Elvis, bourbon and bluegrass, and many others.

American Cruise Lines has Mark Twain, Lewis and Clark and Civil War cruises, and for the American foodie, lobster cruises and crabfest cruises.

Not convinced by river cruising? Perhaps you’ll be lured in by your love of shellfish … or knitting … or bourbon. Pick your poison.

Royal Caribbean certified by autism group

Royal Caribbean International said it is the first cruise line to win fleetwide certification from Autism On the Seas, a group that helps families with autistic members with their vacations.

The certification requires that a cruise line make certain accommodations for autistic passengers, including special staff training.

The guidelines also include providing sensory related toys, autism-friendly modification to youth activities, autism-friendly movies, priority boarding, dietary offerings (including gluten-free and dairy-free), and several modifications to services for groups of guests with disabilities.

Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, Royal Caribbean's executive vice president of operations, said the cruise line has been working with Autism on the Seas for more than seven years.

The organization is taking a staff cruise on Serenade of the Seas on March 8.

On its website, Autism on the Seas said it also works with Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises and Disney Cruise Line.

Norwegian features dining package in new promotion

Norwegian Cruise Line said it will offer free dining and beverage packages in a Wave season promotion for sailings of Norwegian Breakaway and Getaway in the second and third quarters.

Andy Stuart, the cruise line's vice president of sales, said the promotion, dubbed “The Ultimate Freesome,” has "never been done before at Norwegian."

The offer includes a free Ultimate Dining package for booking a balcony or mini-suite cabin on the two ships during the promotion period from Feb. 27 to March 10. Those who book a suite in the Haven will get a dining package and an Ultimate Beverage Package.

The dining package allows for complimentary dining at the extra-charge alternative restaurants on Breakaway and Getaway. The first two guests in the stateroom will get the packages in the promotion. In the suite promotion, all guests will get the beverage package, with a soda package for anyone under 21 years old.

Stuart said the point was partly to promote the sale of dining packages by travel agents.

“We really think this is a package more and more guests will enjoy,” he said.

The package, new this year, costs $119 per person for seven-day cruises.

Norwegian launched the promotion on a webinar with more than 4,000 participants, a record number Stuart said.

Attendees were eligible to win one of 50 free cabins on Getaway and Norwegian Epic, which were allotted at random to those still listening at the end.

Serenity refurb a breath of fresh air

The Crystal Serenity's $17 million makeover is notable as much for what was subtracted as what was added.

After emerging from a drydock in Cadiz, Spain, the most noticeable change to the 2003-built ship is the complete disappearance of one of its pools.

The space that had been devoted to a pool area with a retractable roof for shelter in inclement weather has been turned into another restaurant, called Tastes. The area, now filled with wicker seating, is also home to the Trident Grill and Scoops ice cream bar.

"It's great to say we have two pools," said Crystal President Edie Bornstein. "But the reality was it was really never used."

Tastes, which has an eclectic menu that runs from Alsatian tarts to California street tacos, opens in the early afternoon for lunch and then is transformed after 6 p.m. into a casual eatery with what Bornstein called a "summer-in-the-Med feeling."

The Serenity's other pool remains, as do other fitness facilities such as a 360-degree outdoor promenade for walking, a golf driving range and putting green and two paddle tennis courts.

Another focal point in the makeover was the four penthouse suites.

In an ultracontemporary remodel, interiors of the 1,345-square-foot suites were gutted and the dining area moved closer to the outdoor veranda. The former dining room became a den/library/media room. The color scheme has been lightened to light gray and creme with purple accents.

Another change during drydock was the addition of air- and surface-cleaning equipment to 70 cabins, meant to reduce the irritants that cause allergies.

The so-called hypoallergenic rooms, an industry first, are a boon to passengers who have allergies or other sensitivities that can disrupt a vacation. Now a state-of-the-art, medical-grade air purifier filters out 99.9% of all airborne impurities on an ongoing basis.

A new cherry wood dance floor in the Palm Court gives that area a fresher, richer feel. And the Lido Cafe area has been remodeled with more tables for two and food stations replacing older-style buffet counters.

Propeller problems halt P&O cruise

A P&O cruise vessel is having to return to port in the UK early after a technical issue with a propeller slowed its progress on a holiday to Madeira, the Spanish Islands and Portugal.

The Oriana will return to Southampton Port three days early, and passengers will have the option to disembark when they arrive or remain until the planned arrival date.

They have also been offered a refund consisting of 40 per cent of the original ticket price in cash or 100 per cent in credit to use on a future occasion.

P&O Cruises' director Christopher Edgington was quick to apologise, saying: "Our decision to bring back the ship early has not been taken lightly and I am sorry that our customers' holiday plans have been impacted."

He added that although the repairs were required urgently, passenger lives were never in any danger and they were kept fully informed of the situation at all times

Thursday, 20 February 2014

MSC Close to Megaship Deal with STX

MSC Cruises is close to a newbuilding contract with STX France for two megaships with an option for two additional vessels, according to French media.

French reports quote a total budget of 2.4 billion euro for ships well over 4,000 passengers each.

Quoted is MSC France CEO Erminio Eschena, who said he was looking at the situation with “some confidence” and was optimistic.

He continued that MSC was still in talks with yards, looking for a fair price, and a decision is expected before April to target a delivery date to get the first ship in service before the end of 2016.

Crew member arrested for assault on HAL ship

A 28-year-old crew member on Holland America Line’s Nieuw Amsterdam ship has been arrested following an assault on a passenger in her cabin last week.

The crew member was taken into custody by the FBI when the ship docked in Fort Lauderdale at the end of a chartered cruise on Feb. 16.

He has been charged with attempted murder and sexual assault, according to South Florida media reports. Court records say the Indonesian man confessed to the attack, and told investigators that he was responding to a perceived insult to himself and his family.

Holland America has fired him.

“No words can adequately express our shock at this event,” Holland America said in a statement. "We continue to work closely with authorities to understand how this incident occurred and what additional actions we can take to help ensure that nothing like this ever happens again."

The 31-year-old U.S. citizen was cared for and her condition was stabilized in the ship’s hospital, the statement said. She disembarked the ship on Saturday in Roatan, Honduras, and was transferred by air to a hospital in the U.S.

Nieuw Amsterdam left Fort Lauderdale on Feb. 9 for a week-long western Caribbean cruise. It had been chartered by Bare Necessities Tour & Travel, in Austin, Texas, which specializes in clothing-optional vacations.

Holland America Line said the cabin steward was hired in 2012 following a screening that included a clean criminal history check.

He had no performance issues and came with good references, the statement said.

The line reiterated that it asks for a police screening of nearly all shipboard employees in their country of origin, and that virtually all crew members must get a U.S. visa and be screened by the U.S. government prior to employment.

Accommodations details unveiled for Norwegian Escape

Norwegian Cruise Line’s largest ship yet, Norwegian Escape, will include something for a variety of passenger types, including solo travelers, the disabled, families and spa enthusiasts.

Escape will continue the Norwegian Cruise Line practice of designing a separate ship within the ship area for high-paying guests.

The Haven on Escape will include 95 suites, including 22 penthouse suites, 25 family villas and 14 spa suites. The solo traveler complex on Escape will include 82 studios.

The two-story Haven on Decks 17 and 18 will include a private restaurant with outdoor terrace, a lounge and a courtyard area with retractable roof. All suites will feature pillow-top mattresses and linens from the Bliss Collection by Norwegian.

Benefits for the Haven’s guests include priority embarkation and disembarkation; the personal service of a butler and concierge; in-suite espresso/cappuccino machines; and plush bathrobes, slippers and oversized towels.

The 4,200-passenger ship, due in the fall of 2015, will feature 1,168 balcony cabins, 114 oceanview staterooms and 407 inside cabins.

The balcony offerings include 172 cabins designed for families, and the oceanview category has 48 cabins that accommodate five guests. There will be 47 wheelchair-accessible cabins.

Accommodations also include 308 mini-suites, including 40 family mini-suites and 20 spa mini-suites.

Norwegian said it will unveil the home port and itineraries for Escape in mid-March.

Wednesday, 19 February 2014

Sheehan: NCL pricing has softened

By Tom Stieghorst

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings CEO Kevin Sheehan told Wall Street analysts on Tuesday that pricing has softened some since the late fourth quarter, when it was selling 2014 inventory at double-digit increases from the year before.

At the time, Sheehan said load factors were higher for the second, third and fourth quarters and lower for the first quarter, when Norwegian has 72% of its capacity in the Caribbean.

Sheehan said he had hoped to continue pricing unchanged.

“Unfortunately, that didn’t play out. As that period progressed, we needed to adjust our pricing somewhat to get to the finish line,” he said.

In a conference call, one analyst wondered when Norwegian’s newest ships, the Norwegian Breakaway and Getaway, would be recognized as so good as to be above the competitive scrum of promotional competition.

“We are obviously waiting for that moment in time,” Sheehan said.

He said that keeping ships in Europe rather than bringing them back to the U.S. has proven to be the correct strategy for 2014.

“We’re feeling a little bit better about the Wave season as we get through each week,” Sheehan said.

Celebrity Century to leave fleet in 2015

Celebrity Cruises said its oldest ship, the 1,814-passenger Celebrity Century, will leave the fleet in April 2015.

The exit of Century, built in 1995, would leave Celebrity with five Solstice-class and four Millennium-class ships, along with its 98-passenger Xpedition ship. It has no new ships on order.

Celebrity has not said what it plans to do with Celebrity Century, although a page on the CDF Croisieres de France website last year said it would be the new operator of Century. Like Celebrity Cruises, CDF is owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

A special 14-night president's cruise in Asia has been scheduled in March 2015 to commemorate Century’s time with Celebrity.

Guest Post: A tale of two airlines and tech's role in the battle for customers

By Travolution

By Boyan Manev, vice-president business development and product marketing at airfare search solutions firm Vayant

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. At least for two of Europe’s largest low-cost carriers, who are now looking to refresh the low-cost model as competition for the customer is set to intensify.

The rise of the low-cost carrier made millions of people into frequent flyers and shook up the airline market with powerful price-led offers and a no-frills approach to service.

In the drive to cut ticket prices, these innovative carriers basically invented the unbundled model, where everything beyond the point-to-point fare – from onboard meals to hold baggage and allocated seating – came as an optional extra: otherwise known as an ancillary.

The low fares enabled by unbundled ticketing won over passengers, particularly in the leisure market. And it certainly made a big impact on aviation, to the extent that the global industry is formally embracing ancillaries via the New Distribution Capability (NDC) process being pushed by Iata.

But in the rush to reduce ticket prices, one low-cost carrier, Ryanair, showed signs of leaving the customer behind. Ryanair took its price-led offer seriously, even [apparently] floating the idea of all-standing flights or charging passengers to use onboard toilets. Anything to push down the price of a basic fare.

Customers were prepared to sacrifice a degree of comfort for cheap flights and Ryanair’s unrelenting focus on low fares had propelled it to the status of Europe’s largest airline.

But it seems customers would only put up with so much (and, increasingly, they could find great value fares and a good end-to-end experience on network carriers and innovative hybrid models like Lufthansa-Germanwings).

In a sign that customers were falling out of love with Ryanair’s very aggressive price-led model, the carrier announced its first profit warning in a decade in September, quickly followed by a second profit warning.

In contrast, Ryanair’s rival easyJet was announcing a 51% jump in pre-tax profits – and it all came down to the customer.

While Ryanair had clung to its price-led positioning, easyJet had taken a different direction, introducing a number of customer-friendly innovations. First came allocated seating on all flights, fast-track security for holders of flexi-fare tickets and an attractive inspiration-driven online shop (InspireMe).

Together, these technology-enabled improvements meant easyJet’s customers could tailor a better travel experience, and be satisfied they were still getting a budget price. This gave the easyJet brand a new appeal to older and more affluent leisure and business customers: a profitable segment who previously refused to even contemplate flying easyJet.

The easyJet story shows that the low-cost carriers are opening a new front in the battle for the customer, introducing more choice and a more customer-shaped experience. (And where easyJet led, Ryanair is now following and has announced a raft of measures to make life easier for customers.)

As we’ve argued here before, NDC will move the whole aviation industry towards greater flexibility. Airlines will gain the ability to package and fine tune the customer experience with more precision than ever before, and offer it across more channels.

The growth opportunity is clear – but, as the tale of easyJet and Ryanair shows, to realise the opportunity airlines will need to take advantage of technology tools to deliver choice, value and quality.

Today’s demanding customers want more than a great price – they also want a great experience.

Norwegian Cruise Line hails 'seminal year' as profits surge

Norwegian Cruise Line’s president and chief executive said he was pleased with a “solid” performance during what had been a challenging year for the industry

The line reported fourth quarter profit of 19 cents per share and a 13.4% improvement in net revenue for the full year due to the addition of Norwegian Breakaway to the fleet.

Although net yields for the year were up 4.3% due to higher ticket prices and onboard spend, the figure was offset by three incremental scheduled dry docks.

President Kevin Sheehan said: “A year that began with a highly successful initial public offering, followed by other transactions which resulted in a strong balance sheet and credit metrics, and the launch of the first ship in our Breakaway class, Norwegian Breakaway, will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the seminal years in Norwegian’s 47-year history.

“The hard work of 25,000 Norwegian team members, all with a keen focus on our vision and mission, has been the catalyst for reaching these milestones, reporting solid financial performance in a challenging year for the industry and positioning the company for measured, disciplined growth.”

For the full year, the company reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.41, an increase of 45% from 2012 when the EPS was $0.97. Adjusted net income for the year was $295.8 million compared to $173 million last year.

At the beginning of this year the line took delivery of its latest ship in the fleet, Norwegian Getaway. Construction is ongoing on new builds Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Bliss, scheduled for delivery in 2015 and 2017 respectively.

Tuesday, 18 February 2014

Celebrity’s new spa provider plans more than pampering

Celebrity Cruises is shaking up the spa services available on its ships starting in March when Canyon Ranch takes over the concession on 10 ships from Steiner Leisure Ltd.

Peter Smith, Canyon’s COO, promises to announce new treatments in the next few weeks that will be available to Celebrity passengers once the hand-off occurs.

In an interview last week, Smith outlined three emerging areas in the spa industry and in particular at Canyon Ranch, which puts as much or more emphasis on wellness as on beauty care.

• Brain health: Smith calls this “a major issue for many of our customers.” With longevity rising, there are more seniors living to an age where diminished memory or various forms of dementia are distinct threats. Canyon Ranch plans an onboard lecture series on the latest thinking behind brain health and what can be done to prevent or mitigate declining mental skills.Brain health is a major focus for Dr. Richard H. Carmona, president of the Canyon Ranch Institute and a former surgeon general appointed by George W. Bush. He is the author of “30 Days to a Better Brain,” due out from Atria Books in May.

• Stress: “This is a huge issue right now,” said Smith. Many passengers choose to cruise in part or entirely to escape the pressures of their daily obligations to work, family and even themselves.

“It really crosses every aspect of our lives,” said Smith, and is a contributor to many modern ailments from teeth grinding and overeating to high blood pressure and heart disease.

“We’re spending a lot of our time trying to explain how to cope with stress,” said Smith.

• Sleep: Whether it is a sleep disorder or the simple difficulty of getting a full night’s rest, more people than ever need help achieving regular and healthy sleep. “As a nation, we don’t sleep,” said Smith, who said improvement of sleep habits will be another wellness offering at Canyon Ranch spas.

Although the more exotic treatments at spas can sometimes seem trivial or silly, the wellness concerns outlined by Smith are serious ones shared by many potential cruise passengers. By attending a Canyon Ranch discussion on one of these topics, they may be getting more lasting insight into rest and relaxation on their next Celebrity cruise.

Serenity refurb a breath of fresh air

The Crystal Serenity's $17 million makeover is notable as much for what was subtracted as what was added.

After emerging from a drydock in Cadiz, Spain, the most noticeable change to the 2003-built ship is the complete disappearance of one of its pools.

The space that had been devoted to a pool area with a retractable roof for shelter in inclement weather has been turned into another restaurant, called Tastes. The area, now filled with wicker seating, is also home to the Trident Grill and Scoops ice cream bar.

"It's great to say we have two pools," said Crystal President Edie Bornstein. "But the reality was it was really never used."

Tastes, which has an eclectic menu that runs from Alsatian tarts to California street tacos, opens in the early afternoon for lunch and then is transformed after 6 p.m. into a casual eatery with what Bornstein called a "summer-in-the-Med feeling."

The Serenity's other pool remains, as do other fitness facilities such as a 360-degree outdoor promenade for walking, a golf driving range and putting green and two paddle tennis courts.

Another focal point in the makeover was the four penthouse suites.

In an ultracontemporary remodel, interiors of the 1,345-square-foot suites were gutted and the dining area moved closer to the outdoor veranda. The former dining room became a den/library/media room. The color scheme has been lightened to light gray and creme with purple accents.

Another change during drydock was the addition of air- and surface-cleaning equipment to 70 cabins, meant to reduce the irritants that cause allergies.

The so-called hypoallergenic rooms, an industry first, are a boon to passengers who have allergies or other sensitivities that can disrupt a vacation. Now a state-of-the-art, medical-grade air purifier filters out 99.9% of all airborne impurities on an ongoing basis.

A new cherry wood dance floor in the Palm Court gives that area a fresher, richer feel. And the Lido Cafe area has been remodeled with more tables for two and food stations replacing older-style buffet counters.

Oasis of the Seas will continue from Fort Lauderdale, and Freedom of the Seas from Port Canaveral next summer.

Grandeur of the Seas will continue sailing to Bermuda and the Bahamas in the summer of 2015 from Baltimore, and alternate Bermuda with Canada/New England itineraries in the fall.

Brilliance of the Seas will do Canada/New England fall itineraries from Boston, while Serenade of the Seas will sail back and forth between the New York area and Quebec City on 10- to 14-day foliage sailings.

Monday, 17 February 2014

MSC Cruises appoints commercial director for UK

MSC Cruises has appointed a commercial director for the UK and Ireland, following Giles Hawke’s promotion to executive director.

It was announced earlier this month that Hawke would take on the broader role across English speaking markets.

The cruise line has now appointed Lee Strongitharm for the newly created position of commercial director.

Strongitharm will take up his role in April and joins from Carnival UK.

Hawke said: “Lee brings with him a very impressive track record of achieving profitable growth from the UK marketplace in both air and cruise sectors which will be fundamental for MSC Cruises future ambitions.

“I am delighted to welcome him to lead our very talented team in UK and Ireland."

The cruise line has also announced a number of other changes to their leadership.

From March 20, the current product director Oliviero Morelli will take up the position of managing director for MSC Cruises Japan.

Lorenzo Diamantini will be moving from his role as sales director for Ireland. He will be moving to Geneva to take up the position of deputy executive director for Anglo Saxon markets, reporting to Hawke.

Stephen Moffett will add Ireland to his remit as sales director.

Hawke added: "Oliviero and Lorenzo have both worked for MSC Cruises for a number of years and these promotions reflect their contribution and achievements within the UK and Irish business.

"They will both be missed and will be great assets to the markets in their new roles. Stephen's broader responsibility reflects his contribution to the UK business and gives him greater scope to use his experience and expertise within the UK and Ireland."

P&O floats out Britannia in Italy

P&O Cruises took more pre-registrations in one day last week for new ship Britannia than in a whole week for Azura before it launched in 2010.

Marketing director Christopher Edgington said pre-registrations, targeted at past passengers only, allowed clients to put their name down for specific cruises but not cabins.

The maiden voyage, a 14-night Mediterranean cruise departing March 14 2015, was in high demand, as was a 12-night round-Britain cruise in July. They open for sale on March 27.

Speaking at Britannia’s float out - the moment when the dry-dock is flooded and water hits the hull for the first time – Edgington said: “Our past passengers are really excited about Britannia. We have created a ship that is right for them and for people who have never cruised by enhancing our signature features and adding exciting new ones.”

They include a new cookery school devised by TV chef James Martin, the Limelight dining and cabaret club, and a Mediterranean-style Market Café serving charcuterie and sweet treats from TV’s Cake Boy Eric Lanlard.

Michelin-starred chef Atul Kochhar and wine expert Olly Smith, who have venues on other P&O ships, are also part of Britannia’s culinary line-up. Instead of a restaurant, Marco Pierre White is creating dishes for gala nights in the dining rooms,

Hebden Bridge-based agent Louise Hunt, who works for Travel Councillors, won a P&O competition to be Madrina, or godmother, for the float out, at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. A bank worker until last year, Hunt admitted she was both nervous and excited. She said: “This is quite surreal, quite incredible.”

Saturday, 15 February 2014

Work halted on Panama Canal expansion

The Panama Canal Authority said almost all activity has ceased on the project to widen the canal, amid a payments dispute with the contractor.

A consortium led by Spain’s Sacyr Vallehermoso is seeking reimbursement for cost overruns of more than $1 billion.

Two weeks of negotiations have not produced a resolution, the authority said.

Canal Administrator Jorge Quijano said the authority continues to try to find a solution, but stressed that the contractor must resume normal activity, which is critical during the dry season in Panama.

The widening project had been scheduled for completion in mid-2015. Current canal passage is not affected.

Six Norwegian Cruise Line ships to get exhaust scrubbers

Norwegian Cruise Line has contracted with Green Tech Marine to install scrubbers on six ships.

The scrubbers enable ship operators to reduce sulfur emissions while continuing to use heavy fuel oil for power. Scrubbers are a less expensive option than switching to low-sulfur diesel fuel.

Norway-based Green Tech Marine will install the scrubbers on the Breakaway, Dawn, Jewel, Gem, Pearl and Sun, starting this spring and continuing through 2016. The scrubbers will replace the ships’ exhaust silencers.

installed scrubbers on the Hawaii-based Pride of America last year and will supply them for Norwegian’s Breakaway Plus ships, the Escape and the Bliss, due to enter service in 2015 and 2017, respectively.

GTM R15

By using GTM scrubbers, shipowners can continue to operate on heavy fuel oil instead of more costly marine gas oil while staying below the strict IMO requirements regarding sulphur emissions. Fuel prices of marine gas oil are expected to rise even higher in 2015 when the 0,1% sulphur limit enters into force. The GTM scrubbers make it simple to meet new environmental regulations by replacing your ship’s exhaust silencer – no structural modifications required. You also benefit from:

Thursday, 13 February 2014

Royal Caribbean a partner in Malaysia project

By Tom Stieghorst

Royal Caribbean International is one of the companies signing a memorandum of understanding to co-develop a destination called Melaka Gateway said to cost $12 billion over 10 years.

The project will be built on three islands in Malaysia covering 609 acres. It will include a cruise terminal, a 1,000-slip marina and a ferry terminal as well as luxury hotel and condominium components.

The lead developer is KAJ Development. The prime minister of Malaysia officiated at the unveiling last week of a master plan for the project, which is expected to boost tourism to Malaysia by 2.5 million visitors over 12 years.

Celebrity Cruises' new Suite Class includes exclusive restaurant

Celebrity Cruises said it will launch a Suite Class on its ships to upgrade the experience of guests in its premium suites.

The category will include a dedicated restaurant that will have menus not available anywhere else onboard.

It also will include complimentary meals at all specialty restaurants, premium beverages, access to the Michael’s Club VIP lounge and unlimited Internet access for guests in Royal, Penthouse and Reflection suites.

Suite Class will be fully implemented in April, Celebrity said.

Celebrity did not say what fare premium would be associated with Suite Class.

Wednesday, 12 February 2014

An energetic evening at sea

By Tom Steighorst

One of the drawbacks to a long, late dinner on a cruise is that it sometimes doesn’t put me in the mood to explore the rest of the ship. It sometimes puts me in the mood to head for my cabin and that nice, comfortable bed.

On other cruises, I wonder how I’m going to spend the rest of the evening, especially if I’m at the first seating and done with dinner by 8 p.m.

During the preview sailing of Norwegian Getaway this past weekend, I was seated early, slotted for dinner at Norwegian’s newest iteration of the dinner-theater concept it offers on Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Epic.

I will write more at a later date about the Illusionarium and the show itself. Suffice it to say that it is one of the most unique entertainment offerings at sea, and you should make every reasonable effort to see it.

But beyond that, my dinner companion and I found that merely having the show as a focal point for the dinner left us with a lot more energy to enjoy the evening ahead. It was better for that purpose than even the most enjoyable sit-down meal with the wittiest table companions. It really gave us a charge.

It’s nice to have a tailwind like that on a ship the size of Norwegian Getaway, which has three decks devoted to bars, restaurants and entertainment. I wanted to see and do it all but, let’s face it, the prospect can be a bit daunting.

We were tempted to stop for a refreshing chill at the Ice Bar. It has been warm in Miami this winter. But it seemed a little out of keeping with the Getaway’s tropical theme.

Instead we wandered by the Grammy Experience, another new space unique to Getaway (the same space is a blues-music bar on Norwegian Breakaway).

The Grammy Experience will feature former Grammy-winning artists and memorabilia chosen by the Grammy museum in Los Angeles.

On the inaugural cruise, the showcase performer was Latin jazz flautist Nestor Torres, who continues his run this week on the first full cruise.

Torres and his band were in their element: An intimate club in front of a Miami audience that knew his music and bantered back and forth with him in Spanish.

In between sets we caught part of Legally Blonde, the Broadway musical in the Getaway’s main theater, and we took in a beautifully calm moonlit Miami night on the Waterfront promenade.

Torres played with intensity and inspiration until well after midnight. By the time I finally hit that comfortable bed it was 1:30 a.m.

The energetic evening started with the dinner theater, which I really think set the tone for the whole night. It’s a winning idea both for both and for a cruise line bent on maximizing the use of its bars, casino and other sources of onboard revenue by keeping the party going long as it can.

5 Great Cruise Ships for Teens

Teenagers are notoriously picky, caught between childhood and adulthood and ready to reject anything that borders on childish or dull. The cruise lines — aware that these are not only very influential members of the family when it comes to vacations, but also tomorrow’s adult cruisers — have gone to great lengths to provide this group with a kind of onboard paradise without disturbing the rest of the passengers. The most successful ships have features that draw the whole family together while offering teens their own space, with skilled and hip supervision.

Teen clubs and facilities are getting larger, extending to private sundecks, discos, spa services, refreshments and even pools. In this digital era, cutting-edge technology is a necessity, as is social media access. Many ships separate younger teenagers from the older ones, sensitive to the gulf between the rapidly changing age groups.

Families with teens can choose from connecting rooms, suites and special family accommodations, depending on finances, family culture and the age and maturity of the teens. For larger family groups, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean International, Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises and Disney Cruise Line are all offering accommodations that can sleep five or six people.

Teenagers are as diverse in their tastes as adults. What pleases an athletic teen will not necessarily excite an animal lover or a passionate Internet or video game devotee. The ship, itinerary and onboard culture need to be considered in making decisions for teens as well as adults.

Oasis of the SeasIt’s hard to imagine any teen, regardless of taste or temperament, getting bored on Oasis. Whether hanging out with other teens in their own space or trying out the FlowRider surfing simulator, the rock-climbing wall, the ice-skating rink, the zipline, the basketball court and more, teens will have lots of options on this state-of-the-art ship.

Royal Caribbean set up a teen advisory board, which resulted in offerings such as the Scratch DJ Academy, a youth spa and very trendy teen-only areas for ages 12-14 and 15-17. The staff hosts theme nights, karaoke competitions and more. Plus, young adults have a mind-boggling number of casual dining options, including Johnny Rockets, boardwalk candy and the Wipeout Cafe.

Besides connecting rooms, families with teens can opt for family cabins that sleep up to six people, lofts with bedrooms upstairs and downstairs or the Presidential Family Suite with enough space for 14 people.

Carnival BreezeCarnival Breeze features quaint cabins — 230 square feet with two bathrooms and sleeping arrangements with drop-down bunks that open up the space by day.

During waking hours, teens can enjoy the poolside theater or the Thrill movie theater, with special effects added to the 3-D entertainment. The WaterWorks aqua park has the 320-foot Twister waterslide and the SportSquare has plenty to keep a whole family involved, including a lighted basketball court, a suspended ropes course, 18 holes of mini-golf and outdoor workout stations. The Breeze’s comedy clubs have graded entertainment for various levels of sophistication as well.

Carnival also splits tweens and teens, with Club 02 for cruisers 15-17 and Circle C for 12- to 14-year-olds. Supervised parties that last long after most of parents have gone to bed will make teens happy, as does a trendy dance floor with great lighting effects, 16 television screens, a bank of computers, a soda bar and pizza, T-shirt decorating and game nights. There’s even a youth spa that offers treatments from body scrubs to hair braiding.

On shore, teens can join their families or go on teen-only supervised trips such as dolphin encounters or mountain-biking excursions.

The Breeze is also loaded with casual dining delights, including the burger joint of chef Guy Fieri, sushi and 24-hour hand-tossed pizza.

Norwegian BreakawayNorwegian Cruise Line’s Breakaway has a lot to offer young adults, including five multi-story waterslides, with a pair of stomach-flipping free-fall slides and side-by-side slides for racing. There’s a formidable ropes course along with The Plank waterslide, extending eight feet over the sea, plus plenty of team sports for all ages to enjoy.

Entourage is Norwegian’s teen program for ages 13-17. The club has snacks and sodas, an arcade, multi-player action games and a disco at night.

Norwegian, which broke the rigid tradition of dinner seatings and opened up entertainment and dining arrangements with its “freestyle” schedule, has as many dining venues as a small town. Teens can satisfy their appetites with choices including 24-hour pizza, fish and chips, sushi and Teppanyaki.

The brand-name entertainment onboard is a huge plus for teen passengers as well as adults: Second City comedy sessions are a big draw and, until 11 p.m., teenage passengers are allowed entry into the Fat Cats Jazz & Blues Club.

Family accommodations include the Haven’s 603-square-foot, two-bedroom Family Villas that can accommodate as many as six guests. Villas offer two bathrooms as well as living and dining rooms. Family staterooms in various categories sleep five, and there are plenty of connecting room combinations to book as well.

Royal PrincessPrincess Cruises’ Royal Princess offers a number of enrichment classes among its 40-odd adventures — from ceramics to digital photography in the ScholarShip program. The giant-screen Movies Under the Stars are designed to appeal to all ages, and a batting cage and a laser shooting range offer active entertainment. Among other sports options are Princess Links (an onboard mini-golf course) and basketball as well as tennis, bocce and croquet on artificial lawns.

Royal Princess’ teen club, Remix, is designed for 13- to 17-year-olds, and the line responded to teen feedback by creating a private outdoor area with a lounge, wading pool, sunbathing area and space for alfresco parties and all sorts of competitive games. Indoors, teens have a very trendy lounge area, hip-hop dance classes, a DJ booth and video game tournaments. Mocktail parties and formal gatherings, including a group trip to see live shows, are offered as well.

Teens can hit the creperie or the new bistro options in the buffet when they get hungry. Other choices include a crab shack, a fondue restaurant, a pastry shop, a pizzeria and barbecue beside the pool in the evenings.

Fifty staterooms onboard can be connected, the most on any Princess ship, and there are 36 suites ranging in size from 440 to 705 square feet that sleep up to four people. Royal Princess also has four-berth inside cabins, outside cabins and mini-suites.

Disney FantasyDisney has been a pioneer in family accommodations, with its split bathroom design making life much easier for family groups. The Fantasy offers a variety of configurations that serve groups of up to five people, including 241-square-foot Deluxe Family Oceanview staterooms with queen-size beds, a convertible sofa and pull-down beds. Concierge suites also accommodate as many as five guests and have a whirlpool tub and a walk-in closet.

During waking hours, the AquaDuck, the first watercoaster at sea, ranks high among features for all ages. The length of 2½ football fields and speeding out over the sea, the ride offers thrills to please even the most cynical teen. Deck parties and onboard movies are popular nighttime activities.

Tween club The Edge welcomes 11- to 13-year-olds and is in the forward funnel of Fantasy. It has a huge wall of video monitors for playing games, computers with access to social networking sites and porthole views of the AquaDuck. For teens 14 and older, Vibe has its own splash pools, lounges and club. They also have access to computers, complete with social media apps that allow them to share every move they make. Vibe also features a smoothie and soft-drink bar, plasma televisions, a dance floor and an adjacent sundeck. Karaoke, Internet gaming, dance classes and more are available, and adults are not allowed, apart from staff members. Teen-only shore excursions are also available on Castaway Cay, which offers a private teens’ retreat on the beach called the Hide Out.

It’s no accident that the top ships for teens are all recent ones. Cruise lines are constantly raising the bar, creating more dedicated facilities and bells and whistles that are hard to match on older vessels. Upcoming ships promise even more excitement for this fickle yet important demographic.

Monday, 10 February 2014

Norwegian Getaway christened in 'muy caliente' Miami style

The godmothers - Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders

In the kind of party that only Miami can throw—women in red polka-dot swimsuits swinging from hoops, sizzling Latin dancers in black boots, Tito Puente Jr. firing up the crowd and eye-candy godmothers the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders—Norwegian Getaway was christened Friday in the late afternoon sunshine.

Latin Grammy artist and Miami native son Pitbull got naming ceremony guests on the upper deck dancing, their arms pumping in the air, in a finale of smoke, fireworks and confetti that stole the show.

'She's Miami's ultimate ship,' Norwegian Cruise Line ceo Kevin Sheehan told the crowd, even tossing in a few Spanish words— 'Muy caliente!' (Hot!)—to describe a special Burn the Floor show that's part of the entertainment customized for Norwegian Getaway's Miami deployment.

Norwegian Cruise Line, which started modern weekly Caribbean cruising from Miami with the Sunward in 1966, is glad to be back with a year-round seven-day ship after a decade of seasonal seven-day sailings, Sheehan said.

Norwegian Getaway's hull is splashed out with a bright mermaid by Miami artist David 'LEBO' Le Batard, mojitos are the signature drink and a number of the 28 dining spots and bars have outdoor seating on the open-air Waterfront, perfect for Caribbean cruising.

Le Batard was present, along with celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian who has three seafood restaurants on board, and 'Cake Boss' Buddy Valastro, whose 'Carlo's Bakery' is featured in the atrium cafe.

Norwegian Getaway arrived in Miami after inaugural festivities in Europe and a Super Bowl showcase as the Bud Light Hotel in New York.

'The ship is finally home,' said Capt. Rune Myre, who praised its construction by 'the German geniuses' at Meyer Werft.

'We feel the soul of the ship,' the captain said, adding that he and the 1,600 crew 'hope passengers coming on board will feel what we feel and be part of the Norwegian family ... This is the ship everyone talks about and everyone wants to work on.'

Waiters circulated with bottles to spritz the crowd in the balmy Miami afternoon. Brooke Burke-Charvet, co-host of 'Dancing with the Stars' (and the godmother of Norwegian Sun in 2001) served as the master of ceremonies.

Google+ Badge

Cruise images

Search This Blog

Follow Me by Email

Me Me Me and More About Me

I never wan't to go cruising but my brother did, and tried his best to get me on one of those things. Owning a Travel Agency in Wales i got very good at selling cruise holidays and researched them over and over. Costa Cruise offered us a 3 night cruise on Costa Mediterranea,Balcony cabin for only £50, and that was it Hooked.

I have my Favourite cruise companies and ones I'd use for a lifeboat, if you know what I mean! I'm not a loyal cruiser to any one company, all the ones I sail one have their own good and better points, such as MSC for the decor, no fake marble to be seen and by far the best looking ships in any fleet.

My Blogs (http://wetravel2u.wordpress.com/ and http://wetravel2ucruise.blogspot.co.uk/) try to tell the story of cruising from a travel agents and fan, informing the latest news about the cruise vessels and any relevant news about agent selling offers. I also have a link to my Flickr account showing not just cruise photos but my holiday pics. onboard and on shore, so please look at them and enjoy; if you want please comment as well.